Laurentian Valley Skating Trail recognized as top winter destination

The 2019 season for the Township of Laurentian Valley Skating Trail launched Saturday morning, Jan. 12. Temperatures were very chilly but the skies were clear and there was no wind as the first skaters of the year took to the skating trail that winds its way through a scenic wooded area beside the Timberline Snowmobile Club. In the photo from left, Bricen Johnson, brothers Kesler and Maxwell Kompass and their dad, Philip Kompass. The natural ice trail is over 1.5 km in length.Anthony Dixon / Observer and News / PM

LAURENTIAN VALLEY – In just its second season, the Laurentian Valley Skating Trail is receiving recognition as a winter destination for outdoor enthusiasts.

Mark Behm, Laurentian Valley public works manager, informed council during the Jan. 22 meeting that the skating trail is ranked third on the list of 18 Coolest Outdoor Skating Trails in Ontario on the To Do Canada Website.

The 1.5-kilometre skating trail, nestled in the forest near the Alice and Fraser Recreation Centre and Timberline Snowmobile Club, opened earlier this year after volunteers worked to improve the trail and get it ready for skaters young and old.

The trail was a popular spot during the first weekend of the Laurentian Valley Alice in Winterland Carnival despite the persistence of frigid temperatures throughout the weekend.

Behm noted that several hundred people attended the Glow Skate on Jan. 19 and aside from enjoying the trail itself also took advantage of a roaring fire and hot chocolate provide by the Laurentian Valley Fire Department. Members of the fire department also helped to prepare the trail by flooding the ice.

He added there have been several positive comments received about the trail, which looks a little different this year thanks to the addition of Christmas lights in the trees. Behm said the ice conditions on the back portion of the trail are good but some work is still needed on the downgrade at the beginning of the trail.

New this year is also a companion snowshoeing trail alongside the skating trail. The trail is typically open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. but users are encouraged to check the township’s Facebook page for updates. For updates visit https://www.facebook.com/lvtownship.ca/

Ahead of the Laurentian Valley Skating Trail on the To Do Canada list are the Rideau Canal Skateway and the RiverOaks Skate Trail near Metcalfe.